One of Argyll’s most popular attractions is preparing to unveil a major boost to its visitor experience.
Later this week, Inveraray Jail will launch its high-tech system of 25 audio stops located at key points throughout the courthouse and prison.
The stops will feature interactive touch screens incorporating imagery and drama as well as narration, bringing the jail’s history – and some of its inmates – vividly to life.
The new system has been created by Antenna International, which has tailored multimedia and virtual tours for some 1,200 museums worldwide – including one of the United States’ most popular attractions, Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay.
Inveraray Jail Prison governor Gavin Dick said the introduction of the audio stops was a major investment which promised to delight visitors of all ages.
He said: “These stops will help our visitors to understand what it was really like to live and work in Inveraray Jail – as well as bringing them face to face with some of our more notorious inmates.
“They won’t simply divulge information. They’ll tell stories – recreating events and individuals and creating insights and perspectives – turning every visit into an engaging and fascinating experience.
“Inveraray Jail may be a little smaller than Alcatraz, but the quality of the technology we’re introducing puts us right up there in terms of the visitor experience we’ll be able to offer.”
Other major UK attractions such as Windsor Castle and Edinburgh Castle boast the same system.
Mr Dick added: “Everyone involved in running Inveraray Jail is excited about its potential impact, and we’re very much looking forward to welcoming our first visitors on June 4 and hearing their feedback.”
The audio stops will not replace the famous Inveraray Jail wardens, who will continue to wander the premises in costume offering information, answering questions and – just occasionally – locking up anyone who steps out of line.
The English edition of the audio stops will be launched on Thursday with French, German, Dutch, Italian and Spanish versions rolled out on July 9.